Scotland grinds out win over Ireland in Six Nations

EDINBURGH -- Greig Laidlaw kicked four second-half penalties as Scotland ground out a 12-8 victory over Ireland to earn back-to-back victories in the Six Nations for the first time in 12 years.

The Scots can even dream of challenging for the title after recovering from an 8-0 deficit early in the second half, with Ireland failing to make the most of 74 per cent possession.

Paddy Jackson, controversially chosen at flyhalf ahead of Ronan O'Gara, booted the only points of the first half with a 35th-minute penalty for Ireland and Craig Gilroy added a close-range try in the 43rd.

However, Laidlaw replied with four successive penalties and Scotland held firm on its own try line in a breathless final few minutes to join Wales on four points, two behind England.